Uplink power control mechanism for dual connectivity networks

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system of a first network element receives information indicating that a user equipment (UE) support dual connectivity with first and second inter-radio access technologies (IRATs). The UE is enabled to communicate with a second network element using the second IRAT. The system provides to the UE uplink power configurations for data transmissions between the UE and the network elements, and performs a closed loop control procedure that includes determining a first transmit power control (TPC) value for first data transmissions from the UE and a second TPC value for second data transmissions from the UE, and adjusting the first TPC value and the second TPC value to allocate UE uplink transmission power between the first IRAT and the second IRAT. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/498,228, filed Oct. 11, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/986,959, filed Aug. 6, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No.11,172,451), which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to communication networks providing dualconnectivity (e.g., 4G LTE and 5G), and more particularly to a systemand method for adjusting uplink power for user devices (user equipmentor UE) on such networks.

BACKGROUND

When a mobile device (UE) communicates on both an LTE network and on a5G network, the available uplink transmission power must be sharedbetween those technologies. Distribution of the UE transmission powerper technology may not align with the uplink power demand by eachtechnology (for example, LTE or 5G technologies, each referred to hereinas an Inter-Radio Access Technology or IRAT).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system functioning within the communication network ofFIG. 1 where a UE communicates on a dual-connectivity network, inaccordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2B schematically illustrates uplink power sharing for a UE on adual-connectivity network, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2C schematically illustrates configuring uplink power for a UE on adual-connectivity network, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2D schematically illustrates transmit power control (TPC)adjustment for each IRAT using an algorithm, in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 2E-1 and 2E-2 are connected flowcharts depicting an illustrativeembodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 2F schematically illustrates a first example of transmit powercontrol for a UE on a dual-connectivity network, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2G schematically illustrates a second example of transmit powercontrol for a UE on a dual-connectivity network, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for adjusting transmit power control (TPC) on a dualconnectivity network, based on an uplink closed loop control mechanism.Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure. Although theexamples below refer to a dual connectivity network where a UE accesses4G-LTE and 5G networks, the disclosure applies generally to TPC powercontrol where the UE accesses multiple networks using differenttechnologies.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method in whicha processing system comprising a processor of a first network elementreceives capability information regarding capabilities of a userequipment (UE); the UE communicates over a network with the firstnetwork element using a first inter-radio access technology (IRAT), andthe capability information indicates that the UE supports simultaneouscommunication using the first IRAT and a second IRAT. The method alsoincludes facilitating communication with a second network element, theUE thereby enabled to communicate with the second network element usingthe second IRAT. The method also includes providing to the UE a firstuplink power configuration for first data transmissions between the UEand the first network element; sending the capability information to thesecond network element; and providing to the UE a second uplink powerconfiguration for second data transmissions between the UE and thesecond network element. The method further includes performing a closedloop control procedure. The closed loop control procedure comprisesobtaining uplink performance information including UE information andsystem information; the UE information comprises demand for each of thefirst IRAT and the second IRAT, an estimate of a remaining UE uplinktransmission power for each of the first IRAT and the second IRAT, aquality of service (QoS) measure associated with the UE, or acombination thereof, and the system information comprises availablecapacity for each of the first IRAT and the second IRAT. The closed loopcontrol procedure further comprises determining a first transmit powercontrol (TPC) value for the first data transmissions and a second TPCvalue for the second data transmissions, and adjusting, based on theuplink performance information, the first TPC value and the second TPCvalue, thereby allocating the remaining UE uplink transmission powerbetween the first IRAT and the second IRAT.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device thatcomprises a processing system of a first network element including aprocessor, and a memory that stores executable instructions; theinstructions, when executed by the processing system, facilitateperformance of operations. The operations include receiving capabilityinformation regarding capabilities of a user equipment (UE); the UEcommunicates over a network with the first network element using a firstinter-radio access technology (IRAT), and the capability informationindicates that the UE supports simultaneous communication using thefirst IRAT and a second IRAT. The operations also include facilitatingcommunication with a second network element, the UE thereby enabled tocommunicate with the second network element using the second IRAT. Theoperations also include providing to the UE a first uplink powerconfiguration for first data transmissions between the UE and the firstnetwork element; sending the capability information to the secondnetwork element; and providing to the UE a second uplink powerconfiguration for second data transmissions between the UE and thesecond network element. The operations further include obtaining uplinkperformance information including UE information and system information;the UE information comprises demand for each of the first IRAT and thesecond IRAT, an estimate of a remaining UE uplink transmission power foreach of the first IRAT and the second IRAT, a quality of service (QoS)measure associated with the UE, or a combination thereof, and the systeminformation comprises available capacity for each of the first IRAT andthe second IRAT. The operations further include determining a firsttransmit power control (TPC) value for the first data transmissions anda second TPC value for the second data transmissions, and adjusting,based on the uplink performance information, the first TPC value and thesecond TPC value, thereby allocating the remaining UE uplinktransmission power between the first IRAT and the second IRAT.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablemedium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations. The operations include receiving capability informationregarding capabilities of a user equipment (UE); the UE communicatesover a network with the first network element using a first inter-radioaccess technology (IRAT), and the capability information indicates thatthe UE supports simultaneous communication with the first networkelement using the first IRAT and with a second network element using asecond IRAT in a frequency band on which the second network elementoperates. The operations also include facilitating communication with asecond network element, the UE thereby enabled to communicate with thesecond network element using the second IRAT. The operations alsoinclude providing to the UE a first uplink power configuration for firstdata transmissions between the UE and the first network element; sendingthe capability information to the second network element; and providingto the UE a second uplink power configuration for second datatransmissions between the UE and the second network element. Theoperations further include performing a control procedure. The controlprocedure comprises obtaining uplink performance information includingUE information and system information; the UE information comprisesdemand for each of the first IRAT and the second IRAT, an estimate of aremaining UE uplink transmission power for each of the first IRAT andthe second IRAT, a quality of service (QoS) measure associated with theUE, or a combination thereof, and the system information comprisesavailable capacity for each of the first IRAT and the second IRAT. Thecontrol procedure further comprises determining a first transmit powercontrol (TPC) value for the first data transmissions and a second TPCvalue for the second data transmissions, and adjusting, based on theuplink performance information, the first TPC value and the second TPCvalue, thereby allocating the remaining UE uplink transmission powerbetween the first IRAT and the second IRAT.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a communications network 100 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. For example,communications network 100 can facilitate in whole or in partcommunicating with a user equipment (UE) using a first IRAT andfacilitating communication with a second network element, the UE therebyenabled to communicate with the second network element using a secondIRAT, and performing a closed loop control procedure that includesdetermining a first transmit power control (TPC) value for first datatransmissions from the UE and a second TPC value for second datatransmissions from the UE, and adjusting the first TPC value and thesecond TPC value to allocate UE uplink transmission power between thefirst IRAT and the second IRAT. In particular, a communications network125 is presented for providing broadband access 110 to a plurality ofdata terminals 114 via access terminal 112, wireless access 120 to aplurality of mobile devices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station oraccess point 122, voice access 130 to a plurality of telephony devices134, via switching device 132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality ofaudio/video display devices 144 via media terminal 142. In addition,communication network 125 is coupled to one or more content sources 175of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other media. While broadbandaccess 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130 and media access 140are shown separately, one or more of these forms of access can becombined to provide multiple access services to a single client device(e.g., mobile devices 124 can receive media content via media terminal142, data terminal 114 can be provided voice access via switching device132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system 201 functioning within the communication networkof FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein. In thisembodiment, a network subscriber's mobile communication device (userequipment or UE) 215 communicates with a Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 210over an LTE network and a 5G network. The LTE network includes a basestation 212 (an evolved Node B or eNB); the 5G network includes a basestation 211 (a 5G New Radio or 5G-NR base station). Base stations 211,212 can communicate using an interface 213. In other embodiments, the UEhas dual connectivity using other technologies (for example, 5G and 6G).

In this embodiment, the LTE eNB 212 functions as a master base station(referred to herein as MeNB) that controls the SGNR 211 as a secondarybase station (referred to herein as SgNB). Both the MeNB and the SgNBhave a user interface for transferring data to the UE 215. In aparticular embodiment, the mobile management entity (MME) of the EPCcommunicates exclusively with the MeNB, and the dual connectivity of theUE is controlled by the MeNB.

Data transfer to and from the UE 215 is divided between the LTE and 5Gnetworks. In an embodiment, the UE can receive data via the LTE and 5Gnetworks simultaneously. If data exchange is desired, the UE establishesa connection with the LTE network via the MeNB. If the MeNB controls aSgNB (or has an SgNB integrated therein) and the UE indicates that itcan maintain dual connectivity on the operating frequency band of theSgNB, the MeNB can then instruct the UE to perform measurements on the5G communication channel.

The MeNB can provide the SgNB with the parameters for establishing aconnection to the UE. Once the SgNB confirms the connection, the MeNBcan forward a portion of the user data to the SgNB for transmission tothe UE. In another embodiment, the MeNB can send a request to the EPC toexchange data directly with the SgNB; the SgNB will then forward aportion of user data to the MeNB.

When a dual-connectivity UE is to transmit data simultaneously on theLTE and 5G-NR networks, the output power of the UE must be sharedbetween the networks. In general, P_LTE+P_NR=P_powerclass, where P_LTEis the maximum allowed power value for the UE communicating on the LTEnetwork, P_NR is the maximum allowed power value for the UEcommunicating on the 5G-NR network, and P_powerclass is the configuredmaximum UE output power (e.g., 23 dbm). However, some UEs may supportdifferent configurations based on their capabilities, so that P_LTE+P_NRcan be greater than P_powerclass. With regard to uplink (UL) powersharing, dual connectivity UEs may be of two types: (1) with dynamicpower sharing and (2) without dynamic power sharing.

A UE with dynamic power sharing can support simultaneous LTE and 5G-NRdata transmission, regardless of the sum P_LTE+P_NR. UEs of this typecan operate without performance compromises in situations where cellcoverage is limited.

A UE without dynamic power sharing can support simultaneous LTE and5G-NR data transmission only when P_LTE+P_NR is equal to or less thanP_powerclass. If the sum of the configured P_LTE+P_NR is greater thanP_powerclass, the UE can only operate with time-division multiplexing(TDM) based single uplink transmission (that is, UL operation on onlyone network in each TDM time slot).

In an embodiment, the UL coverage for a UE without dynamic power sharingis limited by setting P_LTE+P_NR≤P_powerclass; the UE therefore cannotreach its maximum transmission power for a given single technology (LTEor 5G-NR). FIG. 2B schematically illustrates a system 202 according toan embodiment of the disclosure, in which a UE of this type supportssimultaneous LTE and 5G-NR data transmission, subject to the constraintP_LTE+P_NR=P_powerclass. The power available for uplink on the LTEnetwork, P_LTE, will decrease as P_NR increases. This generally willresult in a decrease in LTE uplink coverage; as shown schematically inFIG. 2B, the LTE coverage area 222 is reduced in size from 223 to 224when a 5G-NR coverage area 221 is provided. The reduction 225 in LTEuplink coverage can result in dropped calls and/or poor serviceexperience, particularly at a cell edge.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the maximum uplink power can beset for each technology (LTE and 5G-NR) separately for the UEs viadedicated signaling. In particular embodiments, this can be done in LTERadio Resource Control (RRC) via the parameter p-Max signaled within theIE RadioResourceConfigCommon. Alternatively, this can be done in NR RRCvia the parameter p-Max within the IE FrequencylnfoUL which is withinthe IE UplinkConfigCommon.

FIG. 2C schematically illustrates a procedure for configuring uplinkpower for a UE on a dual-connectivity network, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure. During an initial attach procedure inwhich UE 215 attaches to the LTE network, the UE informs the MeNB 212 ofits capabilities 231, indicating its ability to support LTE/5G dualconnectivity. The UE receives from the MeNB an uplink powerconfiguration 232; in an embodiment, this is done via broadcast SystemInformation Block-Type 1 (SIB1) messages. The MeNB retrieves the UEcapabilities and triggers an addition procedure 233 for a SgNB 211.During the addition procedure, the MeNB sends the UE capabilityinformation to the SgNB.

The SgNB configures a power allocation for uplink transmission based onthe information provided by the MeNB, and forwards its uplink powerconfiguration 234 to the MeNB. In this embodiment, the 5G-NR uplinkpower configuration includes the power control methodology (Open vs.Closed Loop Power Control), power control parameters, and maximum uplinkpower pMaxNR. The MeNB sends the information received from the SgNB tothe UE via an LTE RRC connection reconfiguration message 235. In thisembodiment, the MeNB may send updated LTE and 5G-NR uplink informationwith a new RRC connection reconfiguration message at any time while theconnection is established.

FIG. 2D schematically illustrates transmit power control (TPC)adjustment for each IRAT using an algorithm, in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure. In an embodiment, TPC is a closed loopcontrol mechanism in which a correction value is used in the algorithmto adjust the uplink power of a UE. As shown schematically in FIG. 2D,algorithm 241 can be located at a node of a core network 240 providingboth LTE and 5G-NR connectivity to network devices. In variousembodiments, core network 240 can include a Mobile Edge Compute (MEC)network, a Self Organized Network (SON), or a Radio Access NetworkIntelligent Controller (RIC). In the case of open loop control, nofeedback or correction factor is implemented to control uplink power; ifuplink power needs to be updated while the UE is connected to thenetwork, it is necessary to send new SIB1 and RRC connectionreconfiguration messages to the UE.

Inputs to the algorithm include reports 243, 244 from the UE 245 foreach IRAT (LTE and 5G-NR respectively) regarding (1) power headroom, (2)UE demand, typically expressed in megabytes per second (Mbps), and (3) ameasure of quality of service (QoS) for one or more applicationsaccessed by the UE. The power headroom report (PHR) is an estimate ofthe transmission power that remains available to the UE. In thisembodiment, algorithm 241 collects PHRs regarding both LTE and 5G-NR foreach UE 245, to estimate the remaining uplink power for each IRAT,subject to the total P_powerclass. Inputs to the algorithm also includereport 246 regarding IRAT capabilities and available capacity, typicallyexpressed in Mbps or MHz. In this embodiment, report 246 is provided bya system 242 monitoring the LTE and 5G-NR networks.

Based on the information collected, the algorithm adjusts the TPC foreach IRAT to distribute the uplink power of the UE between IRATs, inorder to minimize the likelihood of dropped calls and poor serviceexperience. In an embodiment, the closed loop correction value iscomputed at the MeNB, which receives the PHR. In a particularembodiment, the PHR for each IRAT gives the power quantityPmax−P_(PUSCH), where Pmax is the maximum allowed transmission power(e.g., 23 dbm) and P_(PUSCH) (Power on Physical Uplink Shared Channel)is the power used by the UE to transmit in the uplink channel; P_(PUSCH)may depend on the number of physical resource blocks used to transmitdata by the UE, parameters signaled by the RRC, a downlink path lossestimate by the UE based on a measured Reference Signal Received Power(RSRP), and other factors.

FIGS. 2E-1 and 2E-2 are connected flowcharts depicting an illustrativeembodiment of a method 205 in accordance with various aspects describedherein. During the initial attach procedure (step 2501), the UE providesits capabilities to the MeNB (step 2502). The UE indicates that itsupports LTE/5G dual connectivity; the algorithm is then triggered (step2503). The UE receives (step 2504) the MeNB uplink power configuration;in an embodiment, this is done via broadcast SIB1 messages. The MeNBthen retrieves capabilities of the UE and triggers a SgNB additionprocedure in which the MeNB passes the UE capability information to theSgNB (step 2506).

The algorithm then collects information (step 2508) regarding thesupported uplink power control mechanism for both the LTE and 5Gtechnologies. In this embodiment, both LTE and 5G support closed-loopuplink power control. The algorithm sets the initial pMaxLTE and pMaxNRvalues and sends those values to the MeNB (step 2510). The MeNB directsthe SgNB (step 2512) to configure power allocation for uplinktransmission, based on pMaxNR. The MeNB passes the 5G uplink powerconfiguration to the UE via an LTE RRC message (step 2514).

If (step 2516) pMaxLTE differs from the initial uplink powerconfiguration sent by the MeNB in step 2504, the MeNB sends an updatedvalue of pMaxLTE to the UE (step 2518); this may be done via an SIB1message or an RRC message.

A closed loop control procedure 2590 is then performed to control theLTE and 5G uplink power. In this embodiment, the algorithm performs thefollowing steps.

The algorithm collects UE information for each IRAT (step 2520),including UE demand and application QoS. The algorithm also obtainssystem information (step 2522) including IRAT capabilities and availablecapacity. The algorithm also collects Power Headroom Reports (step 2524)from the UE for both LTE and 5G. The PHRs are used to estimate (step2526) the remaining uplink power for each IRAT, subject to the totalP_powerclass. Based on the information collected, the algorithm adjustsTPC for each IRAT (step 2528), to minimize the likelihood of call dropsand poor service experience.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGS. 2E-1and 2E-2 , it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimedsubject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocksmay occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks fromwhat is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustratedblocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.

In an embodiment, the algorithm can set pMaxLTE and pMaxNR during theinitial attach procedure 2501 to be equal to P_powerclass(pMaxLTE=P_powerclass, pMaxNR=P_powerclass), and then adjust TPC foreach IRAT to maintain P_LTE+P_NR≤P_powerclass. FIG. 2F schematicallyillustrates a first example 206 of transmit power control for a UE on adual-connectivity network, in accordance with this embodiment. As shownin FIG. 2F, UE 260 is connected to both LTE and 5G networks (representedas base stations 261, 262 respectively). Both pMaxLTE and pMaxNR areinitially set to P_powerclass (for example, 23 dbm or 200 mW). In thisexample, UE 260 is located at the edge of cell coverage area 264, and isengaged simultaneously on both LTE and 5G channels: Voice over LTE(VoLTE) and a peer-to-peer (P2P) 5G data upload. The algorithm collectstraffic information, and applies TPC adjustments of TPC_5G=21.76 dbm(150 mW) while TPC_LTE=16.98 dbm (50 mW). The UE uplink power is thusallocated with P_NR limited to 50 mW, and P_LTE limited to 150 mW. Thispower allocation assures adequate uplink power to avoid a VoLTE calldrop, at the expense of 5G upload data rate.

FIG. 2G schematically illustrates a second example 207 of transmit powercontrol for a UE on a dual-connectivity network, in accordance with theabove-noted embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2G, UE 270 is connected to bothLTE and 5G networks (represented as base stations 271, 272respectively). Both pMaxLTE and pMaxNR are initially set to P_powerclass(for example, 23 dbm or 200 mW). In this example, UE 270 is located nearthe center of cell coverage area 274, and is engaged simultaneously onboth LTE and 5G channels. However, there is low uplink traffic from theLTE network and higher traffic from the 5G network. The algorithmcollects traffic information, and applies TPC adjustments ofTPC_LTE=21.76 dbm (150 mW) while TPC_5G=16.98 dbm (50 mW). The UE uplinkpower is thus allocated with P_NR limited to 150 mW, and P_LTE limitedto 50 mW. This power allocation assures adequate uplink power tomaintain the low LTE traffic, and allow a higher 5G uplink data rate.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communicationnetwork 100, the subsystems and functions of systems 201-204, and method205 presented in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E-1 and 2E-2 . For example,virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in partcommunicating with a user equipment (UE) using a first IRAT andfacilitating communication with a second network element, the UE therebyenabled to communicate with the second network element using a secondIRAT, and performing a closed loop control procedure that includesdetermining a first transmit power control (TPC) value for first datatransmissions from the UE and a second TPC value for second datatransmissions from the UE, and adjusting the first TPC value and thesecond TPC value to allocate UE uplink transmission power between thefirst IRAT and the second IRAT.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1 ),such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part communicating with a user equipment (UE)using a first IRAT and facilitating communication with a second networkelement, the UE thereby enabled to communicate with the second networkelement using a second IRAT, and performing a closed loop controlprocedure that includes determining a first transmit power control (TPC)value for first data transmissions from the UE and a second TPC valuefor second data transmissions from the UE, and adjusting the first TPCvalue and the second TPC value to allocate UE uplink transmission powerbetween the first IRAT and the second IRAT.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that any functions and features described herein inassociation with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4 , the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part communicating with a user equipment (UE) using afirst IRAT and facilitating communication with a second network element,the UE thereby enabled to communicate with the second network elementusing a second IRAT, and performing a closed loop control procedure thatincludes determining a first transmit power control (TPC) value forfirst data transmissions from the UE and a second TPC value for seconddata transmissions from the UE, and adjusting the first TPC value andthe second TPC value to allocate UE uplink transmission power betweenthe first IRAT and the second IRAT. In one or more embodiments, themobile network platform 510 can generate and receive signals transmittedand received by base stations or access points such as base station oraccess point 122. Generally, mobile network platform 510 can comprisecomponents, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparateplatforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internetprotocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) andcircuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well as controlgeneration for networked wireless telecommunication. As a non-limitingexample, mobile network platform 510 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 510comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which can interface CS traffic receivedfrom legacy networks like telephony network(s) 540 (e.g., publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN))or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 canauthorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from suchnetworks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, orroaming, data generated through SS7 network 560; for instance, mobilitydata stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside inmemory 530. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based trafficand signaling and PS gateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTSnetwork, CS gateway node(s) 512 can be realized at least in part ingateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated thatfunctionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PSgateway node(s) 518, and serving node(s) 516, is provided and dictatedby radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile network platform 510 fortelecommunication over a radio access network 520 with other devices,such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as distributed antenna networks that enhance wirelessservice coverage by providing more network coverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5 , and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via communications network 125. For example, computingdevice 600 can facilitate in whole or in part communicating with a userequipment (UE) using a first IRAT and facilitating communication with asecond network element, the UE thereby enabled to communicate with thesecond network element using a second IRAT, and performing a closed loopcontrol procedure that includes determining a first transmit powercontrol (TPC) value for first data transmissions from the UE and asecond TPC value for second data transmissions from the UE, andadjusting the first TPC value and the second TPC value to allocate UEuplink transmission power between the first IRAT and the second IRAT.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory.Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), which acts asexternal cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM isavailable in many forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM(DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM),enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM(DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems ormethods herein are intended to comprise, without being limited tocomprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . ,xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing userequipment behavior, operator preferences, historical information,receiving extrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configuredvia a learning or training phase within a classifier constructor andfeature selection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used toautomatically learn and perform a number of functions, including but notlimited to determining according to predetermined criteria which of theacquired cell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/orwhich of the acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, by a processingsystem including a processor, capability information for a userequipment (UE) communicating on a network, the capability informationindicating that the UE supports communication using a first inter-radioaccess technology (IRAT) and a second IRAT; providing, by the processingsystem to the UE, a first uplink power configuration for first datatransmissions between the UE and a first network element; sending, bythe processing system, the capability information to a second networkelement using the second IRAT; providing, by the processing system tothe UE, a second uplink power configuration for second datatransmissions between the UE and the second network element; obtaining,by the processing system, uplink performance information for the firstIRAT and the second IRAT; and adjusting, by the processing system basedon the uplink performance information, a first UE uplink power and asecond UE uplink power to allocate a remaining UE uplink transmissionpower between the first IRAT and the second IRAT.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the first network element receives the capability informationusing the first IRAT.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the uplinkperformance information comprises UE demand for each of the first IRATand the second IRAT and an estimate of a remaining UE uplinktransmission power for each of the first IRAT and the second IRAT. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting a firsttransmit power control (TPC) value for the first data transmissions anda second TPC value for the second data transmissions.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the obtaining and the adjusting comprise a closed loopcontrol procedure to control the first UE uplink power for the firstIRAT and the second UE uplink power for the second IRAT.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the uplink performance information further comprisesa quality of service (QoS) measure associated with the UE.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first IRAT comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE)communication system and the second IRAT comprises a 5G New Radio(5G-NR) communication system.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising separately setting, by the processing system, a first maximumuplink power for the UE associated with the LTE communication system anda second maximum uplink power for the UE associated with the 5G-NRcommunication system.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the setting isperformed in a dedicated signaling procedure.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the second uplink power configuration is provided via an LTERadio Resource Control (RRC) message.
 11. A device comprising: aprocessing system of a first network element including a processor, thefirst network element using a first inter-radio access technology(IRAT); and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operationscomprising: receiving capability information for a user equipment (UE),the capability information indicating that the UE supports communicationon a network using a first inter-radio access technology (IRAT) and asecond IRAT; providing to the UE a first uplink power configuration forfirst data transmissions between the UE and a first network element;sending the capability information to a second network element using thesecond IRAT; providing to the UE a second uplink power configuration forsecond data transmissions between the UE and the second network element;obtaining uplink performance information for the first IRAT and thesecond IRAT; and adjusting, based on the uplink performance information,a first UE uplink power and a second UE uplink power to allocate aremaining UE uplink transmission power between the first IRAT and thesecond IRAT.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the first networkelement receives the capability information using the first IRAT. 13.The device of claim 11, wherein the uplink performance informationcomprises UE demand for each of the first IRAT and the second IRAT andan estimate of a remaining UE uplink transmission power for each of thefirst IRAT and the second IRAT.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein theadjusting comprises adjusting a first transmit power control (TPC) valuefor the first data transmissions and a second TPC value for the seconddata transmissions.
 15. The device of claim 11, wherein the obtainingand the adjusting comprise a closed loop control procedure to controlthe first UE uplink power for the first IRAT and the second UE uplinkpower for the second IRAT.
 16. A non-transitory machine-readable mediumcomprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processingsystem including a processor of a first network element, facilitateperformance of operations, the first network element using a firstinter-radio access technology (IRAT), the operations comprising:receiving capability information for a user equipment (UE), thecapability information indicating that the UE supports communication ona network using a first inter-radio access technology (IRAT) and asecond IRAT; providing to the UE a first uplink power configuration forfirst data transmissions between the UE and a first network element;sending the capability information to a second network element using thesecond IRAT; providing to the UE a second uplink power configuration forsecond data transmissions between the UE and the second network element;obtaining performance information for the first IRAT and the secondIRAT; and adjusting, based on the performance information, a first UEuplink power and a second UE uplink power to allocate a remaining UEuplink transmission power between the first IRAT and the second IRAT.17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein thefirst network element receives the capability information using thefirst IRAT.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16,wherein the performance information comprises UE demand for each of thefirst IRAT and the second IRAT and an estimate of a remaining UE uplinktransmission power for each of the first IRAT and the second IRAT. 19.The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein theadjusting comprises adjusting a first transmit power control (TPC) valuefor the first data transmissions and a second TPC value for the seconddata transmissions.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 16, wherein the obtaining and the adjusting comprise a closed loopcontrol procedure to control the first UE uplink power for the firstIRAT and the second UE uplink power for the second IRAT.